The Trump administration on Tuesday announced a new round of sanctions against Iran and Venezuela, targeting companies and individuals involved in the production, acquisition, and sale of unmanned aerial vehicles and missile-related technology. The move reflects the administration’s continued focus on countering weapons proliferation and increasing pressure on governments it views as adversarial to U.S. interests.
According to the Treasury Department, the United States is sanctioning 10 entities and individuals based in Iran and Venezuela. Among those named is Venezuela-based Empresa Aeronáutica Nacional SA, a state-linked company that U.S. officials say oversees the assembly of unmanned aerial vehicles in cooperation with Iran’s Qods Aviation Industries. The administration argues that this collaboration highlights growing military and technological ties between Tehran and Caracas.
In addition to the Venezuelan entity, the sanctions target several Iran-based individuals and companies. Three individuals are accused of involvement in efforts to acquire chemicals used in ballistic missile development. Two additional companies and three people in Iran were designated for their alleged connections to Iran’s UAV and aerospace programs. U.S. officials say these activities violate international restrictions and contribute to regional instability.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott said the sanctions underscore the administration’s emphasis on enforcing international rules aimed at curbing Iran’s weapons programs. “Today’s action highlights the importance of the re-imposition of sanctions and other restrictions on Iran pursuant to UN Security Council resolutions,” Piggott said in a statement. “The entities and individuals designated today demonstrate Iran is actively proliferating its combat UAVs and continues to procure missile-related items in violation of UN restrictions.”
The sanctions come amid a broader escalation in U.S. pressure on both Iran and Venezuela. President Trump has intensified his criticism of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, whose government has faced years of economic crisis, political unrest, and international isolation. In recent days, Trump imposed sanctions directly on Maduro and ordered military strikes on a facility he described as a “dock” used by alleged drug trafficking boats. The administration has framed these actions as part of a broader campaign against narcotics trafficking and corruption.
At the same time, tensions with Iran remain high. Trump has repeatedly warned Iranian leaders against pursuing nuclear weapons and expanding their military capabilities. On Monday, during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the president issued a blunt warning about potential military action if Iran continues down that path.
“Now, I hear that Iran is trying to build up again, and if they are we’re going to have to knock them down. We’ll knock them down. We’ll knock the hell out of them. But hopefully that’s not happening,” Trump said.
The latest sanctions are likely to further strain relations between the United States and both governments. While U.S. officials argue that economic pressure is necessary to deter weapons proliferation and destabilizing activities, Iran and Venezuela have historically rejected such measures as illegal and politically motivated. As tensions continue to rise, the sanctions signal that the administration remains committed to a hardline approach toward both countries, using economic tools alongside diplomatic and military warnings to pursue its foreign policy goals.
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